Report: Browner turns down reduced suspension

As noted earlier, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after practice today that the team has yet to hear anything official on Brandon Browner’s appeal of his proposed suspension. He also is still unable to play physically while dealing with an injured groin that has had him sidelined since Nov. 10.

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, meanwhile, is reporting today that Browner turned down an offer of a reduced suspension from the original proposal of one-year to one that would have made him eligible next October, and that that is why the appeals process is continuing:

Just said on @FFD that @Seahawks CB Brandon Browner turned down an offer for a reduced suspension to return next October. Appeal continues.

(You can watch video of Garafolo’s segment on Fox Football Daily here).

Garafolo is reporting that Browner hopes to get the entire suspension “wiped off the board.”

As has been reported in several different outlets, Browner is contesting that he should not have been considered a Stage 3 offender of the NFL’s drug policy. At issue is a series of drug tests Browner missed in 2006 and 2007 when he was out of the league, and after he had had a previous violation while with the Denver Broncos.

It was missing those tests that put Browner in Stage 3 and at risk of more severe punishments when he had another failed test this season.

For this to impact the Seahawks in any real way this season, Browner will have to get healthy enough to play.

The Seahawks have left Browner on the active roster in case he is not suspended and can get healthy enough to return at some point this season, even if just for the playoffs. That’s why the team signed and then quickly released Perrish Cox last week.

If Browner is put on Injured Reserve then he cannot play again this season.

For now, it appears as if there will be no resolution to any of this until next week.